System and method for generating and using physical roadmaps in network synthesis

ABSTRACT

A system and methods are disclosed that generate a physical roadmap for the connectivity of a network, such as a network-on-chip (NoC). The roadmap includes a set of possible positions for placement of edges and nodes, which are known to be an acceptable and good position for placement of these network elements, that honors the constraints of the network. These known positions are made available to the system for synthesis of the network and generating the connectivity and placement based on the physical roadmap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 16/728,335 titled PHYSICALLY AWARE TOPOLOGYSYNTHESIS OF A NETWORK filed on Dec. 27, 2019 by Moez CHERIF, et al.,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology is in the field of computer system design and,more specifically, related to generating a physical roadmap forsynthesis of the topology of a network-on-chip (NoC).

BACKGROUND

Multiprocessor systems implemented in systems-on-chips (SoCs)communicate through networks, such as a network-on-chip (NoC).Intellectual Property (IP) blocks or elements or cores are used in chipdesign. The SoCs include instances of intellectual property (IP) blocks.Some IP blocks are masters. Some IP blocks are slaves. Masters andslaves communicate through a network, such as a NoC.

Transactions, in the form of packets, are sent from a master to one ormore slaves using any of the many industry-standard protocols. Themaster, which is connected to the NoC, sends a request transaction to aslave. The master uses an address to select the slave. The NoC decodesthe address and transports the request from the master to the slave. Theslave handles the transaction and sends a response transaction, which istransported back by the NoC, to the master.

The design of a network, such as the NoC, within a floorplan takes intoaccount all the communication links between all the masters and theircorresponding slaves. The various communication paths are represented bya connectivity mapping for the NoC within the floorplan. Theconnectivity map must take into account the location of the IP blocks inthe floorplan, which represent physical constraints in the floorplan.The floorplan also includes spaces, such as corridors, where links oredged can be placed. Some approaches, such as Voronoi-based techniques,allow only 1 edge per corridor and thereby limit optimal utilization ofthe available space in the floorplan for placement of edges. Thus,systems and process that create a network topology given a set ofconstraints need to decide the optimal number of nodes and edges, andthe positions of the nodes and placement of the edge in the floorplan.Therefore, what is needed is a system and method that generates a model,such as a physical roadmap, for the connectivity requirements of thenetwork with constraints. The physical roadmap must honor theconstraints while meeting the connectivity requirements of the network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various embodiments and aspects of the invention,systems and methods are disclosed that generate a model for theconnectivity of a network, such as a network-on-chip (NoC), whilemeeting the constraints of a floorplan. The model is a physical roadmapthat includes a subset of points on the floorplan with paths connectingthose points, where it is optimal to place network elements, during thesynthesis, in order to minimize network metrics, such as wire length anddistance between source nodes and sinks.

The system and method of the invention include generating a set ofpossible positions for placement of edges and nodes, which is known tobe an acceptable and good position that honors the constraints of thefloorplan. These known positions are made available for synthesis andgeneration of the network connectivity using the physical roadmap.

In accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention,a physical roadmap model is generated that contains positions for edgesand nodes and can be used efficiently and effectively for synthesis ofthe network. The system generates, as an output, a physical model. Thismodel is referred to as a physical roadmap (or roadmap). The roadmap isused as a guide during the synthesis process. The synthesis process usesthe roadmap and aims to leverage network synthesis. Using the roadmapalso enables the system to systematically generate optimal ornear-optimal topology solutions. Optimality and cost of a solution areconsidered with respect to physical-related metrics, and morespecifically, routed wire length and minimum distance between a source(initiator) and a sink (target). The system for generating of theroadmap and the process, in accordance with the various aspects andembodiments of the invention, can be extended to other metrics, such asperformance.

The use of the roadmap in network synthesis has many benefits andadvantages. One advantage of the various aspects and embodiments of theinvention includes providing fast throughput of a solution, such as afast execution of the process and a good quality of results in terms ofoptimality and synthesis convergence.

Another advantage of using a roadmap is generation of a consolidatedmodel of the physical paths, along which the synthesized network nodesand edges can be placed and routed because the roadmap representslocations that are known to be acceptable placement locations.

Another advantage is the roadmaps provide guidance to the system forsynthesis of any type of network topology, be it regular or irregular.For example, topologies such as rings, meshes, or tori are naturallyhandled without embedding any explicit knowledge of their properties. Assuch, the roadmap generation and the network synthesis can beimplemented on any topology under construction, including a mesh or anyother regular structure.

Another advantage of using the roadmaps is optimal (or near-optimal) useof the physical space, such as channels, as well as the consideration ofcongested areas or constrained fences.

Another advantage of the invention is the ability to support incrementalsynthesis of a network topology. Through roadmaps, the system canquickly and easily expand and update the synthesis to accommodatechanges in the problem specifications or constraints. For example,change in the size and positions of the forbidden regions (macros); thedeletion or addition of source nodes (initiators) and/or sinks(targets); the deletion or addition of connections, which can result inplanning for new paths; and changes in constraints (e.g., regions wherethe nodes need to be located).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully understand the invention, reference is made tothe accompanying drawings or figures. The invention is described inaccordance with the aspects and embodiments in the following descriptionwith reference to the drawings or figures (FIG.), in which like numbersrepresent the same or similar elements. Understanding that thesedrawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of theinvention, the presently described aspects and embodiments and thepresently understood best mode of the invention are described withadditional detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a network's floorplan in accordance with the variousaspects and embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a physical roadmap model built for the network of FIG. 1 inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the roadmap model of FIG. 2 with various switches, such assplitters and mergers along the edges, in accordance with the variousaspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a corridor in the floorplan with multiple edges inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a graph for a network, in accordance with the variousaspects and embodiments of the invention of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a roadmap for the network represented by the graph of FIG.5 , in accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of theinvention of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a graph for a network, in accordance with the variousaspects and embodiments of the invention of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a roadmap for the network represented by the graph of FIG.7 , in accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of theinvention of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows bounding boxes for a floorplan representation of a networkin accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the inventionof the invention.

FIG. 10 shows an iterative process for generating a global roadmap byadding source nodes and their respective unconnected sink nodes aroadmap in accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of theinvention of the invention.

FIG. 11A-11H show sub-roadmaps that are built to result in a roadmapdeveloped using an iterative process for connection a source node to allof its sink nodes in accordance with the various aspects and embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a process for generating a global roadmap for a pluralityof source nodes and the sinks connected to each of the source nodes inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a process for generating a global roadmap from a sourcenode to all sinks connected to the source node by adding each sourcenode to the roadmap in accordance with the various aspects andembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes various examples of the present technology thatillustrate various aspects and embodiments of the invention. Generally,examples can use the described aspects in any combination. Allstatements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments as wellas specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structuraland functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended thatsuch equivalents include both currently known equivalents andequivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed thatperform the same function, regardless of structure.

It is noted that, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,”“certain aspects,” “various aspects,” or similar language means that aparticular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe invention.

Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in at least oneembodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in certain embodiments,” and similarlanguage throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, allrefer to the same embodiment or similar embodiments. Furthermore,aspects and embodiments of the invention described herein are merelyexemplary, and should not be construed as limiting of the scope orspirit of the invention as appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart. The disclosed invention is effectively made or used in anyembodiment that includes any novel aspect described herein. Allstatements herein reciting aspects and embodiments of the invention areintended to encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. It is intended that such equivalents include both currentlyknown equivalents and equivalents developed in the future.

The terms “path” and “route” are used interchangeable herein. Pathsincludes and are made up of any combination of nodes and edges (edgesare also referred to herein as links), along which data travels formsource to destination (sink or target). As used herein, a “master,” an“initiator,” and “source node” refer to similar intellectual property(IP) blocks, units, or modules. The terms “master” and “initiator” and“source node” are used interchangeably within the scope and embodimentsof the invention. As used herein, a “slave,” a “target,” and “sink node”refer to similar IP blocks; the terms “slave” and “target” and “sinknode” are used interchangeably within the scope and embodiments of theinvention. As used herein, a transaction may be a request transaction ora response transaction. Examples of request transactions include writerequest and read request.

As used herein, a node is defined as a distribution point or acommunication endpoint that is capable of creating, receiving, and/ortransmitting information over a communication path or channel. A nodemay refer to any one of the following: switches; splitters, mergers,buffers, and adapters. As used herein, splitters and mergers areswitches; not all switches are splitters or mergers. As used herein andin accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention,the term “splitter” describes a switch that has a single ingress portand multiple egress ports. As used herein and in accordance with thevarious aspects and embodiments of the invention, the term “merger”describes a switch that has a single egress port and multiple ingressports.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a floorplan 100 for a network is shown inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.The network's floorplan 100 includes constraint regions 110, which arefloorplan restrictions or forbidden regions. The constraint regions 110represent IP blocks in accordance with one aspect and embodiment of theinvention. Other constraints can be added as part of the network or tothe floorplan. The floorplan 100 also includes initiators or sourcenodes 120 in communication with targets or sink nodes 130 in accordancewith the various aspects and embodiments of the invention. The scope ofthe invention is not limited by the number of source nodes and sinknodes in a given floorplan. The logic connectivity, in accordance withvarious aspects of the invention, between a given source node (aninitiator) and sink node (a target) is depicted by solid arrows in thefloorplan 100. The floorplan 100 includes communication connectivityusing edges. For example, an edge 140 connect the source node 120 with asink node 130. As indicated, forbidden regions 110 are areas on thefloorplan that links or edges cannot traverse; the links must be placedin areas on the floorplan, such as corridors, that are not occupied bythe forbidden regions 110. For generality, the source/sink nodes can beanywhere on the free space. In accordance with the various aspects andembodiments of the invention, the system receives, as an input, astructure implementing the floorplan 100 with the connectivity betweenthe source nodes 120 and sink nodes 130. The floorplan 100 is providedto the system as a map, which includes the constrains and connectivity.The system processes the map using edge and node clustering to produce amore optimized structure.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a model or physical roadmap 200 for thefloorplan 100 in FIG. 1 is shown. The physical roadmap 200 is used by anetwork synthesis software to produce (near-)optimal topologies inpresence of physical constraints. As detailed herein and in accordancewith the various aspects of the invention, various techniques from thedomain of robot path planning and combinatorial optimization are used tobuild the physical roadmap model. Additionally, using the roadmap allowsfor the possibility to efficiently synthesize a network when addinggeometrical constraints to the floorplan and further constrain theroadmap model and hence the location of the network elements.

The roadmap 200 takes into consideration the blockage areas 110 whenplacing the paths that connect the source nodes 120 and sink nodes 130on the floorplan. All of the nodes are placed at collision-freepositions in the floorplan 100 and not on top of blockages areas 110.The edges, such as edge 240, of the roadmap 200 correspond tocollision-free paths. All points lying along the edges or paths arecollision-free. In accordance with the various embodiments of theinvention, the edges or path are of three types: (1) paths originatingat a source node and ending at an internal node, (2) paths originatingat an internal node and ending at sink nodes, and (3) paths betweeninternal nodes. In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of theinvention, the internal nodes are nodes as defined herein, such asswitches. In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of theinvention, the roadmap 200 is represented by a data structure.

In accordance with the various aspects of the invention, the roadmap isrepresented by an undirected graph. In accordance with some embodiments,the undirected graph is an undirected cyclic graph. The undirected graphincludes nodes, where the nodes are of three types: (1) source nodescorresponding to initiators, (2) sink nodes corresponding to targets,and (3) internal nodes corresponding to bifurcation points or mergingpoints. Depending on the connectivity map for the targets andinitiators, the roadmap 200 can be made of one or two or more disjointgraphs. For optimality and compactness purposes, the internal nodes aredistributed across the free space in such a way that the edges (thepaths) are canonical paths. such as vertical paths, horizontal paths; ormore complex shapes. This graph model permits the alignment of thelogical and physical structures of the roadmap.

The system's synthesis process, which is software executed by aprocessor, accesses the data structure. The roadmap 200 includesconnectivity links, such as a connective link 240, that connect thesource nodes, such as source node 120, with the respective sink nodes,such as the sink node 130. Thus, whatever the stage of the synthesis(i.e., splitting, clustering, restructuring, buffering, andoptimization), the nodes are placed, using the roadmap, in such a way asto honor the constraints of the network and optimize (or near-optimize)the metrics. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, thesynthesis process builds a roadmap for the network by successivetransformations of simpler elements, such as splitters and mergers, thatare assembled to build the internal nodes or the switches.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a roadmap 300 is shown with switches 350 inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.The switches 350 may be splitters or mergers in accordance with thevarious aspects and embodiments of the invention. The switches 350 arelocated at the sink nodes and the source nodes. The switches 350 areplaced in such a way that honors the constraints of the network, whileoptimizing the metrics.

The roadmap 300 is not the final synthesized network topology; theroadmap 300 is the set of locations, at which the nodes can bepotentially placed. In accordance with other aspects and embodiment ofthe invention, various topology structures can be found and generateddepending on the metrics and constraints of the network; the scope ofthe invention is not limited thereby. For example and in accordance withthe various embodiments of the invention, the roadmap 300 is modeled byan undirected graph through duplicating and directing internal edges.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a roadmap 400 is shown with an edge 410 and anedge 420. Depending on the structure of the floorplan and the width ofcorridors between the forbidden regions, the roadmap 400 can havemultiple edges traveling through the same corridor. A corridor is anyspace that is available for placement of an edge. In accordance with thevarious aspects and embodiment of the invention, the edge 410 and theedge 420 travel through the same corridor. In accordance with thevarious aspects and embodiment of the invention, the cycles are kept aspart of the roadmap graph. The cycles are handled by synthesis process,which is in charge of providing cycle-free routes.

In accordance with the various aspects and embodiment of the invention,the roadmap is represented by a graph. The graph for the roadmap is aset of points known to be good locations for placing network elements.This results in greater efficiency during the synthesis process. Usingthe graph for the roadmap, the identified spaces where network elementscan be placed or located are efficiently identifiable. Thissignificantly reduces the search space during the synthesis process whendeciding where to place network elements. Using the graphs of theroadmap, the network will be produced (near-)optimally based on thegraph and the derived roadmap.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , an undirected cyclic graph 500 isshown for a corresponding roadmap 600. In accordance with variousaspects and embodiment of the invention, the system builds the graph 500using a point-to-point collision-free path planner and combines it witha global process in order to build up a unified graph of paths achievingthe physical implementation of the initial source/sink connectivity mapfor the network. The graph 500 shows the various connectivityinformation for the network that is represented by the roadmap 600. Forexample, a connection path 510 of the graph 500 is shown as an edge 610in the roadmap 600.

Referring now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , a source node 710 is shown incommunication with and connected to the sink nodes 720, 722, 724, 726,and 728. In accordance with the various embodiment of the invention,other type of constraints can be added to the roadmap building process,such as geometrical constraints. For example, network nodes that fallwithin the region defined by a fence, such as rectangle fence 730, canbe constrained by connecting every endpoint directly to the constrainingregion. Then a local roadmap is built for the fence 730, which is insidethe fence 730 to represent the connectivity. Thus, the source node 710and the sink nodes 720-728 are all connected to nodes in the fence 730.

In accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention,various techniques are combined to build a roadmap, so that eachtechnique operates at a given level of the problem and for a specificpurpose. In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of theinvention, a point-to-point collision-free path planner is used to builda graph for the physical implementation of the network. In accordancewith some aspects and embodiments of the invention, a point-to-pointcollision-free path planner is combined with a global process to buildup a unified graph of paths achieving a physical implementation of theinitial source/sink connectivity map. There are different scenarios forbuilding the roadmap for a network, which include: Point-to-pointplanning of collision-free path; Point-to-many planning ofcollision-free tree of paths; and Many-to-many planning ofcollision-free forest of paths.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , a set of bounding boxes are shown for buildingroadmaps for a floorplan 900 with three source nodes 944, 946 and 948 inaccordance with various embodiments and aspects of the invention. Eachbounding box has an area. Bounding boxes 902 includes all sink nodes,such as sink node 950. The bounding box 902 is the englobing boundingbox. In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, abounding box is created for each of the source nodes and is sorted withits respective sink nodes. The system uses the process of traversing theset of source nodes and sorts the source nodes with respect to a “sinkspreading” based cost function. In accordance with some aspects of theinvention, the bounding box 904 is drawn to include all sink nodesconnected to a source node 944. In accordance with some aspects of theinvention, the bounding box 906 is drawn to include all sink nodesconnected to a source node 946. In accordance with some aspects of theinvention, the bounding box 908 is drawn to include all sink nodesconnected to a source node 948.

Once the various bounding boxes for each source node is determined, thesystem is able to determine the cost function for each bounding box.This cost function is computed for each source node. For example, forany source node (initiator) I_(k), the bounding box covering therespective sink nodes, which are connected to the source node I_(k), iscomputed. The area of the bounding box is evaluated to determine a sinkspreading factor, which is calculated as follows:f(k)=(N _(sk) *A _(k))/(N _(s) *A) where

-   -   N_(sk) is the number of sink nodes connected to the source node        I_(k);    -   N_(s) is the total number of sink nodes in the floorplan being        analyzed to generate the roadmap;    -   A_(k) is area of the bounding box that surrounds all of the sink        nodes of I_(k) and I_(k), which lies within the englobing        bounding box; and    -   A is the area of the englobing bounding box.

The source node with the highest sink spreading factor is the sourcenode with an individual roadmap that (tree starting at that source andreaching all its sink nodes) spans most of the paths and nodes of thefinal global roadmap. In accordance with some aspects of the invention,the system uses the individual roadmap for the source node with thehighest sink spreading factor to speed up the solution buildingthroughput. The advantage is that it maximizes the size of the initialtrunk to be computed and to be the base for the final roadmap.

Referring now to FIG. 10 , an iterative process is shown for evaluatingthe list of sorted source nodes in the floorplan 900. The source nodesare sorted in decreasing order of sink spreading factor value, inaccordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention.The leaves of any roadmap are the sink nodes that are connected to thesource node.

In accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention,at each iteration, one source node is selected from the list of sortedsource nodes and an individual roadmap starting at that source node isgenerated.

In accordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, asource node is selected from the list of sorted source nodes and it isconnected directly to the existing roadmap. The process then identifiesall of the sink nodes, which are a subset of sink nodes for the selectedsource node directly connected to the existing roadmap, that are notalready connected to the existing roadmap. The process then connects thesubset of sink nodes to the existing roadmap. Once generated, the pathsdefining each individual roadmap are traversed and merged with existingpaths of the existing roadmap under construction.

In accordance with the aspects of the invention, the source node 944 isselected. The individual roadmap 1044 for the source node 944, which hasthe highest score, is built. As this is the first source node selected,the resulting roadmap 1044 is the starting or initial global roadmap. Inaccordance with some aspects and embodiments of the invention, thesystem builds the global roadmap through connecting a source node 946directly to the roadmap 1044. The system identifies the sink nodes thatneed to be connected to the source node 946. The system also determineswhich of the sink nodes are not already connected to the roadmap 1044 togenerate a subset of sink nodes that are not connected to the roadmap1044. The system connects the subset of sink nodes to the existingroadmap 1044 to generate an updated roadmap 1046. Thus, the source node946 is connected to the roadmap 1044 to generate roadmap 1046. Theroadmap 1046 now includes the second-ranked source node, source node946, and the sink nodes for the source node 946. The roadmap 1046 is nowthe global roadmap. The source node 948 is selected next and the roadmap1046 is expanded; the expansion of the roadmap 1046 includes connectingthe third-ranked source node, source node 948, and the remaining sinknodes for the source node 948 to generate the roadmap 1048. The roadmap1048 is now the global roadmap and depicts the final resulting roadmapfor the three source nodes in this example.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11H, generation of an individual roadmap forthe network 1100 is shown. In accordance with the various aspects of theinvention the process uses a point-to-point collision free path plannerfor the network 1100. The path finder can be based on a greedy scheme, aheuristic scheme (such as A* technique), or a complete scheme (such asDijkstra path finder or any technique of path planning). In accordancewith the various advantage of the invention, the process for generatingand building the roadmap for the network 1100 uses a rapid iterativemethod to generate a near-optimal tree starting at an arbitrary sourcenode and ending at the connected sink nodes.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the process expands a tree starting at a firstsource nodes, such as source node 1102, that was selected to build theinitial roadmap trunk. The initial collision-free path 1150 isidentified and generated between source node 1102 and sink node 1104.The path 1150 is now part of a trunk that is built at this phase of theprocess for developing a final roadmap for the source node 1102. Theprocess, at each iteration, selects a sink node that is the closest sinknode to the already built trunk, such as path 1150, of the roadmap thatis being generated.

Referring now to FIG. 11B, a sink node 1106 is connected, using path1152, to the trunk 1150 by executing the collision-free path finder. Thegenerated path 1152 is then processed to generate a chain of internalnodes connected through canonical segments (vertical or horizontal).This chain, which represents the path 1152, is then added to theexisting graph for the trunk 1150.

In accordance with the various aspects of the invention, at everyiteration and until the entire set of sink nodes is reached, the systemmaintains a sorted list of pairs of points, where every pair is made ofone of the remaining unreached sinks and its corresponding closest pointon the existing roadmap.

Referring now to FIG. 11C, the process selects a new closest sink node1108. The sink node 1108 is connected, using path 1154, to the trunk1150 by executing the collision-free path finder. The generated path1154 is processed to generate a chain of internal nodes connectedthrough canonical segments (vertical or horizontal). This chain, whichrepresents the path 1154, is then added to the existing graph for thetrunk 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 11D, a new closest sink node 1110 is selected. Thesink node 1110 is connected, using path 1156, to the trunk 1150 byexecuting the collision-free path finder. The generated path 1156 isprocessed to generate a chain of internal nodes connected throughcanonical segments. This chain, which represents the path 1156, is thenadded to the existing graph for the trunk 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 11E, a new closest sink node 1112 is selected. Thesink node 1112 is connected to the trunk 1150, which is through path1158, by executing the collision-free path finder. The generated path1158 is processed to generate a chain of internal nodes connectedthrough canonical segments. This chain, which represents the path 1158,is added to the existing graph for the trunk 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 11F, the process continued and a new closest sinknode is selected. In accordance with some aspects of the invention, thesink nodes 1114 and 1116 are selected. The sink node 1114 is connectedto the trunk 1150, which is through path 1160. The sink node 1116 isconnected to the trunk 1150 through path 1162. The generated paths 1160and 1162 are processed to generate a chain of internal nodes connectedthrough canonical segments. These chains, which represents the paths1160 and 1162 respectively, are added to the existing graph for thetrunk 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 11G, a new and final closest sink node 1118 isselected. The sink node 1118 is connected to the trunk 1150 through path1164. The path 1164 is generated by executing the collision-free pathfinder. The path 1164 is processed to generate a chain of internal nodesconnected through canonical segments. This chain, which represents thepath 1164, is added to the existing graph for the trunk 1150.

Referring now to FIG. 11H, the network 1100 is shown with a roadmap 1150for connecting all the sink nodes to the source node 1102 in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the invention. The process ofselecting or choosing the closest point results in generating a(near-)optimal final tree for the roadmap 1150 and, hence, a (near-)optimal roadmap. Unlike classical techniques for topology synthesis, thesystem's wire length computation augments the widely used Manhattandistance with a more informative path length data. In addition, pathindexation allows all synthesis decisions to be based on proximity ofnodes by using distances based upon true collision-free paths. Theproximity of the closest point is approximated first through an“augmented” Manhattan distance that accounts for approximate detoursaround the forbidden regions. The distance is then used to score thepair of points and sort the pair of points in a list. Collision-freepath planning is executed for the best pair, which is the pair with theshortest distance between nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , a process is shown for generating a roadmapthat is used as guidance for synthesis of networks that are subject tophysical constraints. At step 1200 a source node is identified. Theremay be many source nodes; the process can be repeated for all of thesource nodes. At step 1202 all the sink nodes that are in communicationwith the source node are identified. The distance of each sink node fromthe source node is identified, taking into account that the distancerepresents a collision free path. At step 1204 the closest sink node isselected from the list of sink nodes in communication with the sourcenode. At step 1206, an initial path or trunk is generated between thesource node and the first selected sink node. At step 1208, the systemdetermines if there are other sink nodes that are in communication withthe selected source node. If so, then at step 1210 the system selectsthe next closest sink node and connects it to the initial trunk togenerate a new trunk, which has been expanded to include the connectionto another sink node. The process returns to step 1208 to determine ifthere are other sink nodes that need to be incorporated in the roadmapand connected to the source node. If there are no other sink nodes toconnect, then at step 1212 a final roadmap is generated from the trunkor path that has been built.

In accordance with the various aspects and embodiments of the invention,the source nodes are sorted with their respective sink nodes. Sourcenodes are ranked based on various parameters/factors. In accordance withsome aspects of the invention, the source nodes are ranked based on sinknode spread factor value. The process proceeds iteratively throughoutthe list of sorted source nodes, in decreasing order of sink nodespreading factor value. In accordance with other aspects of theinvention, the source nodes are ranked based on otherparameters/factors, such as performance, power domain, clock domain, orany combination. The leaves of an individual roadmap are the sinks thatare connected to a source node. Once generated, the paths defining theindividual roadmap are traversed and merged with existing paths of aglobal roadmap under construction. At each iteration, another (or new)source node is selected and an individual roadmap starting at it isgenerated. Accordingly, at step 1214 the system determines if the finalroadmap that was just generated is a first generated roadmap for thefirst selected source node from the sorted list of source nodes. If not,then the process continues to step 1216 where the complete final roadmapthat was just generated is added to an existing roadmap to generate anupdated roadmap, which includes the combined roadmap of at least twosource nodes, in accordance with some aspects and embodiment of theinvention.

The process continues to step 1218. If at step 1214 the final roadmap isthe first generated roadmap, then at step 1218 the system determines ifthere are other source nodes, for which a roadmap needs to be built. Ifso, then at step 1220 the next source node is selected and the processcontinues to step 1202. If at step 1218, the system determines thatthere are no other source nodes, then at step 1226 the system generatesa global roadmap that combines the roadmaps built for each source node.In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the global roadmap isgenerated by collapsing various roadmaps for various source nodes. Forexample, two roadmaps for two different source nodes are selected andcollapsed to generate a collapsed roadmap. Then another source node'sroadmap is selected and collapsed with the existing collapsed roadmap.The process is repeated until all the roadmaps are collapsed to generatea global roadmap. There are numerous factors or parameters that areconsidered when selecting two different roadmaps for two source nodes tocollapse. The scope of the present invention is not limited by thefactors used to select two different roadmaps that are collapsed.

Referring now to FIG. 13 , a process is shown for generating a roadmapused for synthesis of networks that are subject to physical constraints.The source nodes of a network are identified and ranked using variousparameters/factors, as noted herein. In accordance with the variousaspects and embodiments of the invention, the source nodes are sortedwith their respective sink nodes. The process proceeds iterativelythroughout the list of sorted source nodes, in decreasing order of sinknode spread factor value. In accordance with some aspects of theinvention, there may be many source nodes in the network; the processcan be repeated for all of the source nodes. In accordance with someaspects of the invention, there may be only one source node in thenetwork for which a roadmap is generated. At step 1300 a source node isidentified and selected, which is the highest ranked source node. Atstep 1302 all of the sink nodes that are in communication with thesource node are identified. The distance of each sink node from thesource node is identified; the distance represents a collision free pathin accordance with various and embodiments of the invention. At step1304 the closest sink node to the source node is selected from the listof sink nodes in communication with the source node. At step 1306, aninitial path or trunk is generated between the source node and the firstselected sink node.

At step 1308, the system determines if there are other sink nodes incommunication with the source node that need to be connected to sourcenode through the roadmap. If so, then at step 1310 the system selectsthe next closest sink node and connects it to the initial trunk (roadmapbeing generated) to generate a new trunk, which is expanded to includethe connection to another sink node. The process returns to step 1308 todetermine if there are other sink nodes that need to be incorporated inthe roadmap and connected to the source node. If there are no other sinknodes to connect, then at step 1312 a final roadmap is generated for theselected source node, from the trunk or path that has been built.

Once the roadmap, which is also the existing roadmap, for the selectedsource node is generated, other paths for other source nodes, each ofwhich can be used to generate an individual roadmap. The systemtraverses that paths and merges the paths with the existing pathrepresented by the final roadmap that was just generated for theselected source node. In this way, the system builds or constructs aglobal roadmap. At each iteration, another (or new) source node isselected. At step 1314 the system determines if there is another sourcenode to add to the existing roadmap. If not, then at step 1324 thesystem generated a finalized global roadmap. If at step 1314 the systemdetermines there are other source nodes to add, then at step 1316 thenext highest ranked source node is selected. The next highest rankedsource node is connected to the existing (global) roadmap at the closestpossible connection point.

At step 1318, the system analyzes information about all the sink nodescommunicating with the next highest ranked source node, which was justconnected, to determine if there are any sink nodes not alreadyconnected to the existing (global) roadmap. If there are sink nodes NOTconnected to the existing (global) roadmap, then at step 1320, the sinknodes are connected to the existing (global) roadmap to generate anupdated global roadmap. The process then continues to step 1314 todetermine if there are additional source nodes that need to be connectedto the updated global roadmap. If at step 1318, the system determinesthat all of the sink nodes in communication with the next highest rankedsource node are already connected to the existing roadmap, then theprocess continues to step 1314.

Certain methods according to the various aspects of the invention may beperformed by instructions that are stored upon a non-transitory computerreadable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium stores codeincluding instructions that, if executed by one or more processors,would cause a system or computer to perform steps of the methoddescribed herein. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes:a rotating magnetic disk, a rotating optical disk, a flash random accessmemory (RAM) chip, and other mechanically moving or solid-state storagemedia. Any type of computer-readable medium is appropriate for storingcode comprising instructions according to various example.

Certain examples have been described herein and it will be noted thatdifferent combinations of different components from different examplesmay be possible. Salient features are presented to better explainexamples; however, it is clear that certain features may be added,modified, and/or omitted without modifying the functional aspects ofthese examples as described.

Some examples are one or more non-transitory computer readable mediaarranged to store such instructions for methods described herein.Whatever machine holds non-transitory computer readable media comprisingany of the necessary code may implement an example. Some examples may beimplemented as: physical devices such as semiconductor chips; hardwaredescription language representations of the logical or functionalbehavior of such devices; and one or more non-transitory computerreadable media arranged to store such hardware description languagerepresentations. Descriptions herein reciting principles, aspects, andembodiments encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. Elements described herein as coupled have an effectualrelationship realizable by a direct connection or indirectly with one ormore other intervening elements.

Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize many modifications andvariations. The modifications and variations include any relevantcombination of the disclosed features. Descriptions herein recitingprinciples, aspects, and embodiments encompass both structural andfunctional equivalents thereof. Elements described herein as “coupled”or “communicatively coupled” have an effectual relationship realizableby a direct connection or indirect connection, which uses one or moreother intervening elements. Embodiments described herein as“communicating” or “in communication with” another device, module, orelements include any form of communication or link and include aneffectual relationship. For example, a communication link may beestablished using a wired connection, wireless protocols, near-filedprotocols, or RFID.

To the extent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”,“with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed descriptionand the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a similarmanner to the term “comprising.”

The scope of the invention, therefore, is not intended to be limited tothe exemplary embodiments and aspects that are shown and describedherein. Rather, the scope and spirit of the invention is embodied by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generation of a physical roadmapused in network topology synthesis, the method comprising: selecting asource node from a plurality of source nodes, wherein each source nodeof the plurality of source nodes has a location corresponding to alocation of an initiator within a floorplan; identifying a group of sinknodes from a plurality of sink node, wherein each sink node in the groupof sink nodes has a location corresponding to a location of a targetwith the floorplan and the group of sink nodes are in communication withthe source node; selecting a first sink node from the group of sinknodes, wherein the first sink node is nearest to the source node;building an initial physical trunk between the source node and the firstsink node, wherein the physical trunk is placed within free spaces inthe physical floorplan; selecting each of the remaining sink nodes inthe group of sink nodes in order of physical proximity to the sourcenode; adding each of the remaining sink nodes, in the order selected, tothe initial physical trunk to generate a new roadmap with addition ofeach of the remaining sink nodes until all sink nodes in the group ofsink nodes are connected to the source node through a completed roadmap;generate the physical roadmap using the completed trunk roadmap for thesource node and the group of sink nodes in communication with the sourcenode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical roadmap is used toguide the network topology synthesis of a network that is a cycle-freenetwork.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding includesgenerating nodes for connectivity between any sink node and a currentroadmap.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the roadmap includes at leastone corridor with two edges.
 5. A non-transitory computer readablemedium for storing code, which when executed by one or more processors,would cause a system to: select a source node from a plurality of sourcenodes, wherein each source node of the plurality of source nodes has alocation corresponding to a location of an initiator within a floorplan;select a first sink node from the plurality of sink nodes, the firstsink node being physically nearest to the source node and the first sinknode has a location corresponding to a location of a first target withthe floorplan; build a first physical communication link between thesource node and the first sink node; select a second sink node from aplurality of sink nodes, the second sink node has a locationcorresponding to a location of a second target with the floorplan and isnext nearest in physical proximity to the source node; build a secondphysical communication link between the second sink node and the sourcenode by connecting to the second sink node to the first physicalcommunication link; complete all other physical communication linksbetween the source node and remaining sink nodes from the plurality ofsink nodes to generate a completed physical communication path; andgenerate a physical roadmap for the source node using the completedphysical communication path.
 6. A system for generating a near-optimalphysical roadmap model for guiding synthesis of a floorplan, the systemcomprising: a processor; an input module for receiving input informationfrom a user, the input module is in communication with the processor andthe input information includes information about the floorplan includingphysical constraints; and memory for storing code that is executed bythe processor and for storing the input information received from theuser, wherein the processor executes the code to: select a source nodefrom a plurality of source nodes and its respective sink nodes that arecommunicating with the source node, wherein each source node of theplurality of source nodes has a location corresponding to a location ofan initiator within a floorplan and each sink node has a locationcorresponding to a location of a target within the floorplan; analyzerequired communication paths between the source node and its respectivesink nodes; connect each sink node to a physical path originating fromthe source node, such that each sink node, which is selected in order ofphysical proximity to the source node, is connected to the source nodeby adding a new physical path to the physical path originating from thesource node; produce a completed physical path for the source node andits respective sink nodes; produce additional completed physical pathsby executing the select, the analyze, and the connect for each remainingplurality of source nodes and each source nodes' respective sink nodes;and generate the near-optimal physical roadmap model for the pluralityof source nodes based on combining the completed physical path and theadditional completed physical paths for the plurality of source nodes.7. A method for generation of a global physical roadmap used in networktopology synthesis, the method comprising: ranking a plurality of sourcenodes, wherein each source node of the plurality of source nodes has alocation corresponding to a location of an initiator within a floorplan;selecting a highest ranked source node from the plurality of sourcenodes; identifying a group of sink nodes from a plurality of sink node,wherein each sink node of the plurality of sink nodes has a locationcorresponding to a location of a target within the floorplan wherein thegroups of sink nodes are in communication with the highest ranked sourcenode; building an initial global physical roadmap by connecting thegroup of sink nodes to the highest ranked source node; selecting thenext highest ranked source node from the plurality of source nodesconnecting the next highest ranked source node to the initial globalphysical roadmap; determining if any sink nodes in communication withthe next highest ranked source node are not connected to the initialglobal physical roadmap; and connecting, to the initial global physicalroadmap, the sink nodes not already connected to the initial globalphysical roadmap to generate an updated global physical roadmap.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 further comprising the step of selecting each of theremaining plurality of source nodes and connecting each to the updatedglobal physical roadmap.